667 - Gustav Klimt (1862, Baumgarten near Vienna – Vienna, 1918)

Gustav Klimt (1862, Baumgarten near Vienna – Vienna, 1918) Half-length portrait of an elderly woman facing left Pencil on chamois-colored imitation Japanese paper. (1908–1911). Approx. 56 x 37 cm. Handwritten “77” on the reverse. Strobl 1878. • Study for Klimt’s “Death and Life” from 1911/1915. • The artist carried out meticulous studies of his figures, including this elderly woman • Klimt highlights the beauty of the aging face, full of serenity and harmony The drawing was created in preparation for the painting “Death and Life,” which now hangs in the Leopold Museum in Vienna. As early as 1908, Gustav Klimt began his first preliminary sketches. As was his custom, he produced a large number of detailed studies, including one of an old woman, whose head he examined from various perspectives. He exhibited the painting for the first time in 1911. In total, it was shown in five exhibitions until Klimt decided in 1915–16 to repaint the background and add additional figures. Since then, the painting has existed in its final form: “Life” is a colorful flow, a cloud of patterns and ornaments featuring numerous people—a mother with a child, a couple, and other women, including our elderly woman. They all appear peaceful; most have their eyes closed.Klimt’s creative process is evident in the study of the elderly woman: while she is depicted in profile in the drawing, she is shown head-on in the painting and, with her head bowed, appears almost androgynous. This abundance of life is contrasted on the left side of the painting by the personification of Death. A skeletal human skull peeks out from a dark robe adorned with countless crosses. Clutching a small club, it almost seems as if Death is curiously observing the intoxication of life. Provenance: From the artist’s estate, bearing the stamp (Lugt 1575); presumably passed by inheritance to Johanna Zimpel, née Klimt (1873–1950), the artist’s sister, Vienna; presumably passed by inheritance in 1950 to the Rudolf Zimpel Collection (1898–1984), Vienna, the artist’s nephew; subsequently remained in the family through inheritance, Vienna; private collection, Austria, acquired from the aforementioned owner. Taxation: subject to margin scheme (VAT: Margin Scheme).